Today I was incredibly lucky to be invited up to Louisville for a day with the Long Run Hounds. Although it was decidedly chilly when we started, the combination of a “hot brick” at the meet (bourbon, hot water, butter and nutmeg) and a fast pace from the moment we set off meant we weren’t cold for long. We didn’t stand still for long either the entire day. I’m not going to say much, except apologise for my pictures which don’t begin to do the day, the horses or the countryside justice, For real hunting photos, of course you need to browse Nico Morgan’s website.
There’s something so magical for me about hunting. Is it just being in the countryside on a horse? Testing yourself a bit in unknown country? Being around people who all share a love of horses and the countryside? Listening to the hounds work. Is it a tradition and a return to something rather old-fashioned in this day of technology and fast-paced lifestyle? A combination of all of the above? I’m not sure but I do know I loved it all over again, forgot all those rank, young horses I used to hunt in miserable weather, just remembered all the good days, and today was truly one of those!
Thanks to Michelle Primm I was beautifully mounted on an Irish mare, aptly named Tipperary Miss, and she took wonderful care of me, for which I was very grateful as it’s been far too long since I was out hunting. Just as I was beginning to relax and enjoy myself, Alf, the huntsman cantered over and asked, “Ms Clark, would you like to ride with me?” Hellz to the Yeah! What a treat, it was an early Christmas and my next birthday present all at once, watching the hounds work up close, trying to anticipate where they would run next, a total thrill and strangely competitive also,(or maybe that’s just me!) keeping up, (well, just ever so slightly, politely behind!) Alf! I felt like maybe I should start eventing again, I’ve still got it!
Following Alf…I wish I had a helmet cam! I’m ridiculously proud of the very slight cut I have on my chin from a low-hanging branch, my battle wound! I shall boast about it at length at the Christmas party tonight and bore everyone rigid, that’s provided I can walk! After a couple of hours of virtually non-stop cantering and galloping up and down hills, banks, turns, woods, I’m not sure if I’m up for any more fun at all!
Gathering up the hounds after a fabulous day. Laura Hampton may be a familiar face to some of you as she is a well-known event rider around these parts, flying across country bedecked completely in pink, however she’s spends her winters whipping in for the Long Run Hounds, and explained it in a bit more detail once we had dismounted.
I learnt another new tip today, also alcohol related, this time from Laura after we chatted. A mimosa (Bucks Fizz if you’re reading this in England), always delicious, but surprisingly even after hunting on a cold day, and my mother always fobbed me off with hot tomato soup, shame on her, but even better if you mix a little dash of Amaretto in with the champagne and orange juice – fantastic!
A massive thank you to the Long Run Hounds for a wonderful day, to Joint Master Dinwiddie Lampton who led First Field, to all the hunt staff, and the field who were so friendly and welcoming, to Michelle and Tipperary MIss, and to Kathleen and Andy for the kind invitation and a lift there and back. Go out hunting whenever you can if at all possible, I’m sure I’ll regret it tomorrow but relive it for weeks and months to come, it was worth every ache and pain in spades, and Go Eventing!
